spa
SPAH
Spa (noun) means a resort or facility offering mineral baths, hot tubs, or treatments for relaxation and health. Example: “My sister booked a day at a spa for her birthday.”
noun
1
A resort or facility offering mineral baths, hot tubs, or treatments for relaxation and health.
"My sister booked a day at a spa for her birthday."
"The hotel has a quiet spa with a steam room and massages."
"They spent the weekend at a spa to unwind."
2
A hot tub or whirlpool bath.
"After skiing, we sat in the spa and watched the snow fall."
"They installed a spa on the deck behind the cottage."
"Their bath is fitted with a spa."
"The backyard has a small spa next to the pool."
How to use spa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place (or tub) for relaxing baths and wellness treatments.
Common pairings
day spa
spa treatment
hot tub spa
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Word forms
- Plural
- spas
Fill the gap
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My sister booked a day at a _____ for her birthday.
Etymology
Named after the Belgian town of Spa, famous since medieval times for its mineral springs; English adopted the word as a generic term for any similar health resort starting in the 1500s-1600s.
Class of 1500
spa joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “spa” mean?
The word “spa” means a resort or facility offering mineral baths, hot tubs, or treatments for relaxation and health. In plain terms, a place (or tub) for relaxing baths and wellness treatments.
How do you pronounce “spa”?
“Spa” is pronounced SPAH (/ˈspɑ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spa” in a sentence?
Here is “spa” used in a sentence: “They spent the weekend at a spa to unwind.”
What is another word for “spa”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spa” include health club and resort.
What part of speech is “spa”?
“Spa” is a noun.
Where does the word “spa” come from?
The word “spa” dates back to around 1500. Named after the Belgian town of Spa, famous since medieval times for its mineral springs; English adopted the word as a generic term for any similar health resort starting in the 1500s-1600s.
Is “spa” a common word?
“Spa” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spa” have?
“Spa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a resort or facility offering mineral baths, hot tubs, or treatments for relaxation and health.
What is the difference between a spa and a sauna?
A spa is a facility or resort offering baths, treatments, and relaxation services, and can also mean a hot tub. A sauna is a specific hot room, usually dry or steam-based, used to induce sweating, and is often just one feature found within a spa.
What is the difference between a spa and a hot tub?
In one sense, 'spa' is another word for a hot tub or whirlpool bath. More broadly, a spa is an entire facility or resort offering mineral baths and treatments, whereas a hot tub is only the heated pool itself.
What is the difference between a spa and a salon?
A salon focuses mainly on hair, nails, and beauty services. A spa emphasizes relaxation and wellness treatments such as massages, baths, and body therapies, although some services overlap between the two.
What is a day spa?
A day spa is a facility that offers spa treatments on a visit-by-visit basis, without overnight accommodation. Guests come for services like massages, facials, and baths and leave the same day.
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